[113.03] A Stratospheric Observatory for Astronomical Research (SOAR)

G. G. Fazio, G. J. Melnick (SAO)

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory has designed a
2-meter balloon-borne telescope, called the Stratospheric
Observatory for Astronomical Research (SOAR), to carry out a
broad area research program in far-infrared and
sumbillimeter astronomy as part of NASA’s Long Duration
Balloon Flight Program. Initially, in collaboration with the
Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie, SOAR will have
a 225-element bolometer array camera at it focal plane to
perform simultaneous three-band photometric mapping at 100,
200, and 300 microns wavelength with diffraction-limited
resolution over a field of view of 6.25 arcmin. Flight
duration is 10 to 30 days at altitudes of 29 – 38 km,
corresponding to a near space environment. In the near
future it will be possible to fly a 3-meter balloon-borne
telescope for 100 days at these altitudes. The scientific
program to be carried out by SOAR includes two of the most
important goals of space astronomy in the coming decade: a
detailed study of the birth and evolution of galaxies in the
early Universe and the study of the birth of stars in our
Galaxy.

The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address
for comments about the abstract:
gfazio@cfa.harvard.edu